Spa lighting system

ABSTRACT

Techniques and systems for removing moisture from behind an illuminated panel on a spa. In one exemplary implementation, a panel is attached to a sidewall of a spa seating area. A light source is used to illuminate the panel, in which the light source can be attached to the panel. An air vent is connected to the spa to allow moisture to evaporate from behind the panel, in which one end of the air vent may be connected to the atmosphere outside of the spa. The panel can be flush mounted inside of the sidewall, and the panel can be located within a recess area of the sidewall. The panel can be formed of a translucent material, and the panel can be located at a waterline area to indicate a recommended level to fill the spa with water. The panel can include a logo, a design, or an inscription.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority from U.S. provisional patentapplication No. 60/632,512, filed on Dec. 1, 2004, entitled “SpaLighting System,” by Victor Lee Walker, which is incorporated herein byreference.

BACKGROUND

Lighting can be an important part of spa design. For example, onefeature that is currently being marketed in the spa/hot tub/pool(referred to generically herein as “spa”) industry is a lightedenhancement. Some spas provide at least one incandescent light as astandard add-on part, inside of the product design, for enhancedfunction, safety and aesthetic reasons. Some spas may include lightcontrol panels or some bartop controls, such as valves. Still, otherspas may include fiber optic light systems to create large displays oflight along the bartop.

These lighted enhancements to spas can be combined with water featuressuch as jets or waterfalls. The lighted enhancements may also be usedfor other reasons, such as for accent or functional lighting, and/or formarketing or promotional lighting effects. For example, sometimes thelighting can be used for product branding and identifying a particularbrand of spa.

The spa lights can be functional, as well as aesthetically pleasing, andcan add value to the product design. For example, some lights can beused to create different settings or “moods” inside of the spa. The spalighting may be controlled by a control panel, in which the light may becontrolled manually with a manual switch or automatically with amicroprocessor. Spas, by nature, can also create a very intimate settingbecause of their size, close seating arrangement, warm water temperatureand aeration, and their predominantly nighttime use.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides methods, structures, and apparatus thatimplement techniques for a spa lighting system.

In one general aspect, the techniques feature an apparatus that includesa panel attached to a spa, a light source to illuminate the panel, andan air vent connected to the spa to allow moisture to evaporate frombehind the panel. One end of the air vent is connected to an atmosphereoutside of the spa.

Advantageous implementations can include one or more of the followingfeatures. The panel can be a translucent panel. The light source can bepositioned behind the panel to illuminate light into an area that is atleast partially inside of the spa, such as spa seating area. The panelcan be of a certain color, and may be an acrylic tile panel. The lightsource can include a light-emitting diode (LED), an optical fiber,and/or an incandescent light. The panel can be flush mounted inside of aspa sidewall, and the panel can be located within a recess of a spawall. The panel may have a water-tight connection with the spa sidewallsuch that water from the inside of a spa seating area is prevented fromreaching an area behind the panel. The panel can include a logo, design,and/or an inscription. The air vent can have a second end that isconnected with an area behind the plate where the moisture is likely toform.

In another general aspect, a method for removing moisture includesattaching a translucent plate to a waterline area at a spa seating area,in which the translucent plate is configured for illumination. Themethod includes attaching an opening of a first end of an air vent tubeto an area behind the translucent plate where moisture is likely toform, and attaching an opening of a second end of the air vent tube toan outside atmosphere of the spa.

Advantageous implementations of the method can include one or more ofthe following features. The waterline area can be positioned at an areato indicate a recommended level to fill the spa with water. Theattaching may involve flush mounting the plate in a sidewall of the spa,and the plate can be mounted at a recess area of a spa shell. The flushmounting can involve a watertight seal around the plate to prevent waterfrom inside of the spa seating area from leaking behind the plate.

The method may involve positioning the plate to form a first air spacebetween the back of the plate and the sidewall of the spa, creating atleast one hole in the side wall of the spa at the first air space,creating a second air space behind the sidewall of the spa at the atleast one hole, in which the second air space encapsulates the at leastone hole, and attaching the opening of the first end of the air venttube to the second air space. The method may also involve surrounding alength of the air vent tube with foam insulation. The one or more holescan have a diameter and a position such that the one or more holes arenot visible to a spa user inside of the spa seating area. The plate canbe illuminated with a light source, in which the light source can be alight-emitting diode (LED), an incandescent light, and/or an opticalfiber. The plate can be illuminated with a low light intensity toilluminate an area in proximity with the inside of the spa seating area.The method may involve engraving a design, an image, a text inscription,and/or a logo on the plate.

In another general aspect, a system includes a panel attachedapproximately at a waterline area at a spa seating area, a light sourceconnected to the panel to illuminate the panel, and an air vent tubeconnected at an area behind the panel to allow moisture to evaporatefrom behind the panel to an atmosphere outside of the spa.

Advantageous implementations of the system can include the followingfeatures. The system may also include a recess area located at asidewall of the spa for flush mounting of the panel, in which the areabehind the panel includes a first air space between the backside of theplate and the sidewall of the spa. The system may have at least one holein the sidewall of the spa at the first air space, and a second airspace behind the sidewall of the spa at the at least one hole. Thesecond air space may encapsulate the hole, in which the opening of thefirst end of an air vent tube is connected to the second air space.

The techniques described in this disclosure can be implemented torealize one or more of the following advantages. For example, the spalighting system can be used to indicate to a spa user a level that thespa should be filled with water. The spa lighting system can be used tocreate a mood or ambiance in the spa. The lighted panel can be engravedwith a logo or design to indicate a company or spa branding. Similarly,the lighted panel can be engraved and personalized with a design or textinscription from the spa user. In some implementations, an acrylic platecan be used to provide the benefits of durability and translucence, aswell as being easy to clean and maintain. The spa lighting system canemploy air venting to remove any water vapor, such as moisture orcondensation, from behind the lighted panel to prevent mold, mildew,structural damage, electrical damage, and/or operational damage fromoccurring to the spa, lighted panel, and/or control panel of the spa.The exemplary moisture removal method can also help the light from thelighted panel from becoming obscured, dimmed, or blocked from moisture,and can allow uniform light distribution.

The details of one or more embodiments of the spa lighting disclosureare set forth in the accompanying drawings, claims, and the descriptionbelow. Other features and advantages of the spa lighting disclosure willbe apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a view of an exemplary spa lighting system.

FIG. 2 shows a front view of the exemplary spa lighting system.

FIG. 3 shows a top view of the exemplary spa lighting system.

FIG. 4 shows a side view of the exemplary spa lighting system.

FIG. 5A illustrates the exemplary spa lighting system partiallysubmerged in water in a spa.

FIG. 5B illustrates the exemplary spa lighting system partiallysubmerged in water in a spa.

FIG. 6 illustrates the exemplary spa lighting system partially submergedin water in a spa and the lighting effects on the water.

FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary tile-line logo having a venting tube formoisture removal.

FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary tile-line logo having a venting tube formoisture removal.

Like reference symbols in the various drawings may indicate likeelements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A lighting system for a spa is described and illustrated herein. FIGS.1-4 show an exemplary implementation of a spa lighting system 100. FIG.1 shows a view of an exemplary spa lighting system 100. FIG. 2 shows afront view of the exemplary spa lighting system 100. FIG. 3 shows a topview of the exemplary spa lighting system 100, and FIG. 4 shows a sideview of the exemplary spa lighting system 100.

The spa lighting system 100, also referred to herein as a “tile-linelogo,” includes a structure that can be fixably attached (i.e., fixated,attached, glued, sealed, fastened, or mounted) to a spa. The spalighting system 100 may be located anywhere in the spa, but may begenerally in the area of the water line of the spa and/or near the topof a seating area. The spa seating area can generally refer to anywhereseating is available for the spa. In some implementations, the spalighting system 100 may be located in a center seating area of the spa.The spa lighting system 100 can include an engraved design or logo 115to indicate a product, a company brand, or a personalized spa-userinscription. The spa lighting system 100 can include one or moreillumination devices, such as lights, LEDs, and/or fiber optics, toilluminate the system 100, the water around the system 100, and/or thesurrounding spa area. In addition to providing illumination, the lightfrom the illumination device in the spa lighting system 100 can be usedto set a mood or ambiance in the spa.

In one exemplary implementation, the spa lighting system 100 can createa soft, candle-like glow (i.e., a low luminescence) at a recommendedwater level in the spa. In some implementations, the spa lighting system100 may include an acrylic plate, such as an acrylic plate of a size nogreater than ten inches in length, to give the spa user an indicator fora recommended water level inside of the spa. Use of the acrylic plateprovides the advantages of being durable, easy to clean and maintain,and translucent. The acrylic plate may be made of one or more colors,such as a blue tint color. Alternatively, the light source illuminatingthe plate may emit one or more colors. Because the spa lighting system100 may be positioned at a waterline in the spa, the user can know tohow much water should be used to fill the spa. For example, the userwill know to fill the spa up to an area around the location of the spalighting system 100.

In one exemplary implementation, the spa lighting system 100 isilluminated using one or more light-emitting diode (LED) lights that areunder the operation of a control system for the spa. FIG. 3 shows thatthe LEDs can be mounted inside an opening 110 of the spa lighting system100 to project light towards the front side of the lighted panel 115.Conventional spas may not promote the use of lights as mood lightingbecause, inter alia, mood-setting lights are not offered, controls arenot often offered for the mood-setting lights, and/or because theconventional spas do not have controls to distinguish between themood-setting lights and the other types of lights in the spa. In anexemplary implementation, the lights of the spa lighting system 100 canbe turned on with all of the other lights inside of the spa, or can beturned on by separately to create a very romantic “mood setting” light.The ability to turn on just the lighted panel can create a romanticsetting or “mood” inside of the spa.

LED lights can be used in the system 100 to provide the advantages oflong bulb life and minimal heat dissipation. In some implementations,multiple LED lights can cycle through shades or tints of a single color,or a range of different colors to help to create a number of differentmood settings in the spa. The lighted panel 115 may emit an intimate,soft glow from the LED lights. In some implementations, the lightedpanel 115 can emit just enough light for users of the spa to see oneanother.

The lighted panel 115 of the system 100 is engraved with a logo. Inother implementations, the lighted panel 115 can be engraved with acompany name, design, or a personalized inscription. The engraving ofthe lighted panel 115 can be generated by milling the lighted panel 115.To maximize the lighting effect of the system, a beveled bit can be usedfor the milling. The lighting enhancements at or around the lightedpanel 115 can be formed into a desired shape, and can provide a warmaesthetic appeal.

The lighted panel 115 can promote the branding of the spa or company,while providing a useful feature for the end customer. When the lightedpanel 115 is lit, particularly at night, the light emitting through thepanel 115 creates a dramatic image of a logo, or any other type ofgraphic or text, in both the water and in the acrylic

In another exemplary implementation, the spa lighting system 100includes a panel mounted in a recess located at the water line of thespa. The water line may refer to a depth, or range of depths, at whichthe spa is recommended to be filled with water for the most effectiveand efficient use of the spa. Typically, spas may include a line ofblock tiles at the water line. FIG. 5A shows an exemplary implementationin which the system 100 is installed at the same level as the otherblock tiles of the spa 550. When the spa is filled with water, thesystem 100 can be positioned partially under water, as shown in FIG. 5B.

In accordance with one exemplary implementation, a lighted panel 115 isformed of 0.25″ acrylic material that has beencomputer-numerically-controlled (CNC) cut into a company logo and name.Any thickness of any at least partially-translucent material can beused. The lighted panel 115 is then bent to form two wings (as shown inFIG. 4), in which the LED lights are placed within the wings. Thelighted panel 115 can use two embedded “3-in-1” red-green-blue (RGB)LEDs, and can be connected with the spa's light system. The “3-in-1”red-green-blue (RGB) LEDs refer to LEDs that have three different lightintensity settings. The “3-in-1” LEDs may or may not be controlledseparately from other types of lights in the spa. The lights in thelighted panel 115 can be energized with a power source, such as alow-voltage DC power source.

When the lights are turned on, as shown in the exemplary implementationof FIG. 6, the lighted panel 115 can create an illuminated image 650that reflects in the water of the spa. The milling of the logo in thelighted panel 115 is done with a beveled bit to maximize the LED orfiber optic lighting effects. In some implementations, the lighted panel115 can have a color wheel and/or several solid colors. The acrylic ofthe lighted panel 115, or other translucent material, can be tinted withone or more colors color, such as a slight blue color. The light tintcan provide the system 100 with a dry or non-powered appearance.

In some implementations, the spa lighting system 100 can be positionedin a wall inside of the spa that is directly opposite an upper controlpanel of the spa. This spa lighting system 100 position provides thebenefit of being in the center of the spa to help with the distributionof light, as well as prominently displaying the branding of the spa.

A conventional spa lighting system may incorporate a logo or text on thespa control panel. Typically, logos or control panels in thepost-manufacturing market are susceptible for condensation or moistureto accumulate under or behind the logo and/or the control panel. As aresult of this condensation or water accumulation, mold, mildew,structural damage, electrical damage, and operational damage can occurto the logo, control panel, and/or the spa itself. Moreover, light fromthe control panel can be obscured, dimmed, or blocked from thecondensation. The water vapor may also interfere with the aesthetics ofthe spa and lighting system.

FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary spa lighting system 700 having a ventingconfiguration for condensation/moisture removal. The spa lighting system700 can be configured for moisture to be removed behind and/or aroundthe spa lighting system 700. The spa shell 730 is configured to includethe lighted panel 710 (or logo) in a small recess to project lightinside the spa seating area. The lighted panel 710 can be an acrylic,translucent plate. The spa shell 730 behind the lighted panel 710 hasone or more vent hole openings 720 to allow air to circulate between thespace behind the acrylic tile line 710 and the air pocket 740 inside ofthe spa walls. The air pocket 740 is connected to a vent tube 750, inwhich the vent tube is connected to the outer wall of the spa (outer spawall not shown). The vent tube 750 allows air to circulate between theair pocket 740 and the atmosphere outside of the spa. With an air spacebehind the lighted panel 710, venting holes 720 in the spa shell 730 toallow air to pass between the air space and the air pocket 740, aventing tube 750 through spa insulation to allow air to pass between theair pocket 740 and the atmosphere outside the spa, water vapor andcondensation are dissipated through evaporation and air circulation.

In some implementations, the lighted panel 710 is mounted inside of thespa wall such the surface of the inner spa shell 730 and the lightedpanel 710 are flush mounted and are in the same plane. A watertight sealis formed between the lighted panel 710 and the spa shell 730 to preventwater from inside of the spa from leaking behind or under the lightedpanel and/or behind or under the spa shell 730. In some implementations,a lighted panel is applied to the top surface of the spa shell, inaddition to or instead of the sidewall of spa. The ability to reduce andeliminate the accumulation of water vapor or moisture from behind thelogo can allow for better lighting consistency and uniform lightdistribution.

FIG. 8 illustrates another exemplary spa lighting system 800 having aventing means for condensation/moisture removal. In FIG. 8, an air space810 behind the spa shell is provided with a rigid air pocket material860. The air pocket material 860 can be a material that is easilyshapeable, such as a foam core or cardboard. The air space 810encapsulates the venting holes 830 that are drilled in the recess of thespa shell. In some implementations, the venting holes 830 can been sizedand placed such that the holes are not visible, yet are of sufficientsize and number to allow for adequate venting of the moisture in thedesign. Moisture, water vapor, and/or condensation can evaporate frombehind the lighted panel 820 via air circulation using the air from theair vent tube 870 in the foam insulation 850 to the external environmentof the spa.

One of the beneficial features of the system is the flexibility topersonalize the design of the logo or inscription on the lighted panel.Any design, picture, inscription, or phrase on the lighted panel can becomputer-numerically-controlled (CNC) milled and illuminated. As aresult, the spa customer can order a spa and have a phrase, such as asports or school team, or their family name milled. This designflexibility can allow the spa customer to customize their spa to give ita personal and custom appearance.

Although a few embodiments have been described in detail above, othermodifications are possible. Other embodiments may be within the scope ofthe following claims.

1. An apparatus, comprising: a panel attached to a spa; a light sourceto illuminate the panel; and an air vent connected to the spa to allowmoisture to evaporate from behind the panel, wherein one end of the airvent is connected to an atmosphere outside of the spa.
 2. The apparatusin accordance with claim 1, wherein the panel comprises a translucentpanel.
 3. The apparatus in accordance with claim 2, wherein the lightsource is positioned behind the panel to illuminate light into a spaseating area.
 4. The apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein thepanel comprises a color, and wherein the panel comprises an acrylic tilepanel.
 5. The apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the lightsource comprises any of a light-emitting diode (LED), an optical fiber,or an incandescent light.
 6. The apparatus in accordance with claim 2,wherein the panel is flush mounted inside of a spa sidewall, and whereinthe panel is located within a recess of a spa wall.
 7. The apparatus inaccordance with claim 6, wherein the panel comprises a water-tightconnection with the spa wall such that water from the inside of a spaseating area is prevented from reaching an area behind the panel.
 8. Theapparatus in accordance with claim 2, wherein the panel comprises any ofa logo, design, or an inscription.
 9. The apparatus in accordance withclaim 2, wherein the air vent comprises a second end that is connectedwith an area behind the plate where the moisture is likely to form. 10.A method for removing moisture, the method comprising: attaching atranslucent plate to a waterline area at a spa seating area, wherein thetranslucent plate is configured for illumination; attaching an openingof a first end of an air vent tube to an area behind the translucentplate where moisture is likely to form; and attaching an opening of asecond end of the air vent tube to an outside atmosphere of the spa. 11.The method in accordance with claim 10, wherein the waterline area ispositioned at an area to indicate a recommended level to fill the spawith water.
 12. The method in accordance with claim 10, wherein theattaching comprises flush mounting the plate in a sidewall of the spa,and wherein in the plate is mounted at a recess area of a spa shell. 13.The method in accordance with claim 11, wherein the flush mountingcomprises a watertight seal around the plate to prevent water frominside of the spa seating area from leaking behind the plate.
 14. Themethod in accordance with claim 10, further comprising: positioning theplate to form a first air space between the back of the plate and thesidewall of the spa; creating at least one hole in the side wall of thespa at the first air space; creating a second air space behind thesidewall of the spa at the at least one hole, wherein the second airspace encapsulates the at least one hole; and attaching the opening ofthe first end of the air vent tube to the second air space.
 15. Themethod in accordance with claim 14, further comprising surrounding alength of the air vent tube with foam insulation, and wherein the atleast one hole comprises a diameter and a position such that the atleast one hole is not visible to a spa user inside of the spa seatingarea.
 16. The method in accordance with claim 10, further comprisingilluminating the plate with a light source, wherein the light sourcecomprises any of a light-emitting diode (LED), an incandescent light, oran optical fiber.
 17. The method in accordance with claim 10, furthercomprising illuminating the plate with a low light intensity toilluminate an area in proximity with the inside of the spa seating area.18. The method in accordance with claim 10, further comprising engravingany of a design, an image, a text inscription, or a logo on the plate.19. A system comprising: a panel attached approximately at a waterlinearea at a spa seating area; a light source connected to the panel toilluminate the panel; and an air vent tube connected at an area behindthe panel to allow moisture to evaporate from behind the panel to anatmosphere outside of the spa.
 20. The system in accordance with claim19, further comprising: a recess area located at a sidewall of the spafor flush mounting of the panel, wherein the area behind the panelcomprises a first air space between the backside of the plate and thesidewall of the spa; at least one hole in the sidewall of the spa at thefirst air space; and a second air space behind the sidewall of the spaat the at least one hole, wherein the second air space encapsulates theat least one hole, wherein the opening of the first end of an air venttube is connected to the second air space.